11 Specialisations to Consider in Nursing (and popular myths)

Singapore celebrates nurses from all nursing specialties on Nurses Day every August 1. In other parts of the world, recognition for nurses can run for a week. It usually starts on May 6 then ends on May 12, which is International Nurses Day. May 12 is the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, who many consider the founder of modern nursing.

Whether we celebrate for one day or one month, these modern-day heroes deserve every bit of recognition for their commitment and care. Despite the nursing profession being around for centuries and its contributions to global healthcare, myths still surround this field. Here we reveal the three most common nursing misconceptions. Plus, we also list down the various types of nursing specialties.

Myth: All nurses are the same

There are two types of nurses: Enrolled Nurses and Registered Nurses

In Singapore, the difference between these two types of nurses is their education, training, and work responsibilities. However, both Enrolled and Registered Nurses need a valid Practising Certificate (PC) to work in Singapore.

Enrolled Nurses must complete the two-year NITEC course in Nursing, including an internship in a healthcare institution. They can also take post-NITEC courses to become a Senior Enrolled Nurse, which opens more opportunities. With additional school credits, Enrolled Nurses can obtain a degree in Nursing if they want to be Registered Nurses.

As far as work is concerned, the primary responsibility of an Enrolled Nurse is to support Registered Nurses.

On the other hand, Registered Nurses need either a Diploma or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Health Sciences. Afterwards, they need to pass the Singapore Nursing Board (SNB) Licensure Exam to practise in Singapore. After becoming a Registered Nurse, you can pursue several nursing specialties, which leads us to myth number two:

Myth: Nurses only work in hospitals

Fact: Besides clinical care, Registered Nurses can progress to several career tracks like management, education, and research. These, in turn, pave the way for specialisations.

Nurse Managers

Nurses in this healthcare track do not see patients. Instead, they are mainly concerned with administrative duties. Nurse managers promote the professional and personal development of their team members instead of patients. Those in this career path also make sure their facilities and workplaces are compliant with health and safety standards.

In this field of work, the nurse acts as the link between their peers, other healthcare workers, and higher management.

Nurse Educators

Nurses in this track can either work in a medical institution or academe. If they choose the former, they will create programs and train nurses in a hospital setting. If they choose the latter, they will teach Nursing students while they are in school.

As Nurse Educator in healthcare, they can eventually take on the role of Director of Nursing. If they pursue a career in school, they can work their way up from being lecturers to become Professors.

Nursing Researchers

Practitioners in this track continuously aim to understand illnesses and constantly innovate how to treat them. They are scientists who identify, design, and conduct science-based inquiries. They then collect and analyse data and report their findings.

Most often than not, nursing researchers work with scientists from other health-related fields, like nutrition and pharmacy. They write articles and research reports for professional journals in the field of medicine.

Nursing Informatics

This field comprises nurses who have trained in computer science and information technology. Nursing is combined with technology to efficiently collect and manage the data that has an impact on healthcare.

If you are passionate about using technology to solve problems and manage projects, this track could spark your interest.

Myth: Nurses do everything

Fact: Nursing specialties are growing to take care of patients' diverse needs better. Below are a few that are thriving in Singapore. Looking at these examples, you will agree that nursing can be regarded as a calling, more than a career.

Midwifery

Though nurse midwives may deliver babies, those in this specialty train to provide women with care across their lifespan. One part of their responsibility is collaborating with health professionals who are experts in women's health, like obstetricians and gynaecologists.

Perianaesthesia

A perianaesthesia nurse can also be called a recovery room nurse. They care for patients who are either undergoing or are recovering from anaesthesia. They do immensely critical work since they monitor a patient's vitals to ensure a pain-free and safe surgical procedure.

Apart from pre-surgery preparations, perianaesthesia nurses monitor how alert, tired or disoriented patients are when the anaesthesia wears off. They also monitor possible side effects related to the anaesthesia.

Paediatrics

Registered Nurses who care for patients from birth to adolescence have chosen paediatrics among the many nursing specialties available. To prepare for their work, they acquire a thorough knowledge and deep understanding of health conditions present in children.

Because their treatment is different from adults, they need to be creative when addressing their patients. They need to be playful, sometimes even silly, to form bonds with the children they are looking after.

Paediatric nurses assess the condition of their patients and record them. They observe patients and dutifully administer medicines and treatments with a higher level of sensitivity since they are more vulnerable. In addition, they also educate patients and their families on how to manage illnesses or injuries.

Critical Care

Critical care or Intensive Care Unit nursing is a specialisation that primarily focuses on patients with life-threatening conditions. Those in this nursing specialisation likely work with the most multi-disciplinary health professionals. It ensures that the patients in this very delicate and sensitive state receive optimal care.

Since their patients are usually in unstable health conditions, they need to have the ability to make quick decisions. It can make their practise more mentally and physically demanding than other nursing specialties.

Oncology

Oncology nurses are Registered Nurses that care very specifically for patients who are diagnosed with cancer. Practitioners in this nursing specialty reap the distinct benefit of working with a wide range of patients. They can work with very young patients to the elderly, from outpatients to patients under palliative care.

Gerontology

Caring specifically for elderly patients is the job of gerontology nurses. Also called "geriatric nurses," those in this subgenre often work in rehabilitation centres and nursing homes. They can also work in hospice facilities, as well as patients' homes for one-on-one care.

Palliative Care

Palliative care is about giving support and treatment to people with a life-limiting illness. A palliative care nurse helps both the people living with a terminal illness and the people around them.

Registered Nurses in this nursing specialty may work in varied settings, including the homes of their patients. They also help patients' families go through what could be one of the toughest seasons of their lives.

While nursing jobs are in high demand in Singapore, not many people know about nursing specialties available in the market. Specialisation, particularly in the medical field, ensures that optimal care is given to patients. As demands in healthcare grow more complex, nursing specialties provide more focused solutions to address complex health conditions.

The healthcare industry remains one of the fields with companies that continue to hire amid the pandemic. If you would like to receive more information about career opportunities in this area, update your My JobStreet Profile now.